Evidence presented in court, not political loyalty or regional popularity, must dictate the outcome of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, according to House impeachment team spokesperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Barbers emphasized that the proceedings should not be viewed as a political contest between rival factions or high-profile personalities, including Duterte and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Unang-una, itong impeachment process ay hindi about personalities or political parties or kampo ng bawat panig. Pangalawa, ebidensya ang dapat pakinggan,” Barbers said, stressing that public support in Duterte’s Mindanao stronghold is no substitute for legal proof.
Barbers assured that both the prosecution and defense will have equal opportunity to present their evidence before the Senate impeachment court, where senator-judges will weigh the merits of the case.
To bridge understanding, Barbers noted that the House prosecution team plans to release simplified explainers, utilizing local dialects and influential Mindanao figures where possible, to help residents better analyze the facts of the trial. He urged the public to closely monitor the proceedings and base their judgments strictly on the evidence presented.